The Media Council for Self-Regulation strongly condemns yesterday’s obstruction and prevention of journalists from doing their job in parliament. For many years now, journalists have been subjected to open insults, humiliation, and physical attacks.
Yesterday’s incident is particularly serious because it was caused by a high-ranking political official from one of the ruling parties, who rather roughly attempted to stop photojournalists, cameramen, and reporters from covering one of the crisis situations inside the parliament building. Justifying his actions by saying it was “a disgrace that should not be filmed,” this MP demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of journalistic work and the role of the media in society. Filming a “disgrace”, as the MP called it - in other words, documenting abuses in the highest legislative body - is precisely the mission and role of the media and journalists.
To put it simply: at that moment, there was a clear public interest for journalists and cameramen to remain in the plenary hall and record the incident happening in full view of all present. Likewise, the MP in question either forgot or does not know that it is politicians who bear the greatest responsibility for creating an environment in the country that ensures the safety and security of journalists and media. In normal democracies, politicians should be the last people journalists have to fear or worry about.
Unfortunately, it seems that our reality is somewhat different, and that it will take a long time before some of our politicians accept and understand that attacks on journalists and media are, in fact, attacks on the very foundations of every democratic society - including our own.
Ranko Vujović
Executive Secretary
Media Council for Self-Regulation
